Union Stars retain Premier league title

SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - A brilliant batting display by SWD's premier batsman, Obus Pienaar, was the key as Union Stars successfully defended their title as Premier league champions of the SWD.

The Oudtshoorn based team, which played in all eight finals since 2009/10, defeated George, who played in their first final since 2010/11 by 42 runs.

George opted to field and was confronted by a brilliant inning by Pienaar who made an excellent century (111 runs from 101 balls; 2x6, 11x4). He was well supported by Envirino Swartz (75; 105 balls, 1x6, 9x4) as Union Stars reached 267 (all out after 49,5 overs). Jaco Janse van Rensburg picked up 4/57.

George made a good start thanks to Janse van Rensburg (38 from 40 balls; 1x6, 7x4) and Johandré Barnard (67; 83 balls, 7x4), but they could not keep up to the required run rate and was restricted to 225/7 after 50 overs. Pienaar (3/46) and Marcello Piedt (2/37) were the bowling heroes for Union Stars.

Union Stars will now take on Wellington (the Boland club champion) to determine who will represent the Western Cape at the Momentum National Club championships in Pretoria between 22 and 26 April. "Due to the drought in Cape Town no club champion was determined by Western Province," sais Albertus Kennedy, CEO of SWD Cricket.

Union Stars B also retained the Reserve league title in the SWD league competition, when they defeated George B by four wickets.